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FILE: Anti-Copper Theft Squad keeping vigil of the copper ore at Shunxin Enterprises in Chingola
Police have busted a highly-organised copper theft syndicate in which some unscrupulous people, including a Chinese national, have been stealing copper and stashing it in a warehouse on the Chingola-Chililabombwe road.
Law enforcement officers, led by the Anti-Copper Theft Crack Squad, recovered more than 50 tonnes of copper ore worth about K6 billion yesterday and arrested a Chinese national in connection with the theft.
Police believe that the copper ore was stolen from Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) in Chingola and that more people would be rounded up.
Copperbelt province police, Chief Mary Tembo confirmed the incident and identified the Chinese national as Pan Weifeng, aged 25.
The contraband was recovered from a warehouse on plot 4175 on the Chingola/Chililabombwe road and was yesterday taken to KCM plant to establish if it was stolen from Nchanga open pit.
Ms Tembo said police received a tip from members of the public that stolen copper ore had been hidden at a warehouse.
“Acting on the report, police obtained a search warrant and rushed to the warehouse. Unfortunately the Chinese national operating from there got wind of it and ran away. A manhunt was launched while the place was put under 24-hours guard,” she said.
On Thursday last week, police received information that the Chinese national was hiding in Ndola at a warehouse in Ndola. A second search was made at the place where a Chinese national was found.
“After talking to him, he brought Pan on November 23 who was immediately detained. A search was conducted at the warehouse along the Chingola/Chililabombwe road where the copper ore was found,” she said.
A combined team of Anti-Copper Theft Crack Squad and police had sealed off the premises as they finalised their investigations.
A KCM truck was found on the scene waiting to load the copper ore to be ferried back to the plant. Pan was taken to the warehouse in the company of police officers who had driven him from Ndola.
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has said government holds no grudge against federations, unions and individuals that opposed and took government to court over the revised minimum wage four months ago.
To confirm this, Mr. Shamenda shook hands and shared notes with the president of the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) Harrington Chibanda whose union had drugged him to court over the minimum wage.
He said despite holding different views and opinions with the Zambia Federation of Employers president over the wage revision, government does not hold any ill feelings against him.
He said government will continue working with the federation to ensure that conditions of service for workers are improved.
The minister and Mr. Chibanda met at Cosmic Lodge in Lusaka yesterday during the professional negotiators’ forum which was organized by the Zambia Union of Financial Institution and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW).
The forum attracted participants from all financial institution unions across the country.
It is the first time the two leaders were meeting after dragging each other to court where government lost the case for not consulting employers before effecting the minimum wage.
And commenting on the judgment, Mr. Shamenda said the verdict sets a bad precedent for the future as other unions will always refer to it if they want to disagree.
He said the judgment would also disadvantage the unions if a bad government is put in power.
Mr. Shamenda assured the trade unions that government will not interfere in the running of unions but ensure that it creates an enabling environment for them to operate in.
Earlier, Mr. Chibanda said most negotiations for improved conditions of service and wages in the country have been characterized with name calling, table pounding and mistrust of parties involved in collective bargaining.
He said this in most cases, has resulted into prolonged negotiations that have impaired relationships between the employers and workers.
He called on fellow trade unions to promote an atmosphere for employers and workers to exchange information, notify each other about needs and concerns and consult on possibilities and impossibilities before the actual negotiations.
Meanwhile, ZUFIAW president Cephas Mukuka commended government for creating a conducive environment for trade unions and federations to work freely.
Mr. Mukuka noted that trade unions and federations are now quiet because they do not have antagonizing issue to talk about as government has set its policy on labour very straight.
The professional negotiators forum, which has opened in Lusaka today, is expected to close on Wednesday this week.
Government has vowed to protect new roads that are being constructed under the link Zambia 8000 project from unnecessary damage.
Minister of Works, Supply, Transport and Communication Christopher Yaluma said many roads in Zambia and beyond are being damaged by overloaded vehicles.
Mr. Yaluma said the damage on roads has caused adverse economic impact in terms of high maintenance costs.
He was speaking in Chikankata district yesterday when he launched the K11.2 billion Kafue weigh bridge.
Mr. Yaluma noted that government has embarked on vigorously embarked on improving the road network in Zambia in order to trigger economic growth.
He said the new weigh bridge will help decongest operations at the Kapiri Mposhi weigh bridge as trucks coming from the southern corridor will be attended to at the new Kafue weigh bridge.
Mr. Yaluma has since called on road transport business operators to observe acceptable load limits and further urged weigh bridge operators to work diligently and honestly.
And Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairman Willie Nsanda said the new weigh bridge is another milestone in road maintenance.
Mr. Nsanda thanked government for funding various road development projects in the country.
Meanwhile, Chikankata District Commissioner Sylvester Simayaba said the district has experienced various development projects since its creation.
Mr. Simayaba said the new Kafue weigh bridge has added value to the district and stressed that his office will not tolerate corrupt practices at the facility.
The new weigh bridge, whose construction works began in March this year, consists of entrance and exit lanes, queuing lanes, a detention bay and electronic operating system.
Supply of mealie meal in major trading centres of Kitwe and Kalulushi has continued to be erratic with some milling companies restricting the sale of the commodity to one bag per person.
A survey conducted revealed that the commodity was being sold between K50,000 and K80,000 per 25 kg of breakfast because of limited stock.
Shoprite in the Kitwe business centre had run out of the commodity and was expecting delivery of mealie meal by mid day yesterday.
At Nakadoli market in Chimwemwe township, traders were selling limited stocks at exorbitant prices while Mark Corporation director Mark Chisanga said that shortage has forced the price to skyrocket.
A trader at Nakadoli market, Maria Kamboyi said that most millers were allowing a person to buy a single bag and that there was corruption among some traders who were conniving with suppliers to buy in large quantity at the expense of individuals.
Kalulushi district commissioner Joyce Nsama said that shortage of the commodity had persisted with Nkana general dealers selling a bag of mealie meal at K55,000.
Ms Nsama said that Mpongwe milling delivered 400 bags to Nkana general dealers in Kalulushi last week but by yesterday only 20 bags were remaining.
She said that traders on the ‘black market’ were selling the commodity between K75,000 and K80,000.
“I am appealing to other milling companies to supply the district because the prices have gone up and people cannot afford. Mpongwe milling has a breakdown of its machinery at the plant and we hope that they will soon resume full capacity production,” she said.
Pouwels Construction Limited the firm engaged by Mopani Copper Mines to renovate Nkana Stadium says the rehabilitation works are on course.
Two training pitches are being laid at Nkana Stadium which is located in the heart of Kitwe’s Wusakile Mining Township.
Pouwels Site Manager Nyambe Sakala said rehabilitation works at Nkana Stadium are progressing well.
“The works are going on well, so far we have completed the boundary wall in less than three months,” he said.
Sakala however feared that the rainfall may hamper works.
” Obviously it (rainfall) will delay the works a bit. With the internal works I am sure it will be affected. We are entering into the rain season so you may find that when it starts raining you are disturbed,” he told LT Sports at the site on Monday.
Christopher Katongo says he is humbled to have made two awards shortlists this year.
Katongo said the last two years have been the most exciting of his football career.
The Zambia captain has been shortlisted for the 2012 BBC African footballer of the year.
The nomination comes after making the penultimate list for the 2012 CAF African player of the year before failing to make the cut for the last four of the coveted continental accolade.
“I thank the people that have recognized my work for the past two years it has been fantastic as football player,” Katongo said.
“There is success and failure. If you fail, you just have to pull up your stockings and move on this is not the end for me but it’s great to be recognized among the top players in Africa.
“Also the BBC (Award), it’s fantastic to be recognized and let me take this opportunity to thank the people who voted for me. It’s an encouragement for me to work extra hard so that next time I can be among the top players.”
A Couple in Chief Chamuka’s chiefdom in Chibombo district committed suicide after a domestic quarrel over K10,000.
Both Central Province Police Commissioner Standwell Lungu and Chief Chamuka of the Lenje speaking people confirmed the incident.Mr Lungu said the two had a quarrel over a K10,000 which the husband borrowed from his wife and was not paid back.Chief Chamuka named the deceased couple as Damiano Dana and Betty Dana both of Chileka village in Chibombo district.
The chief who sent his delegation to establish the cause of death of the two villagers from the village where the scene happened said the couple had a quarrel after which Betty the wife consumed a poisonous pesticide portion in protest over none payment of her money and died while the husband looked on.
“The husband decided to take his life upon seeing that his wife had died and he (Mr Dana) too, also consumed the same portion the wife took and died,” the chief said.
Chief Chamuka said the couple’s bodies were buried in the same village yesterday.The traditional leader described the incident as unfortunate as family members decided to bury the bodies without seeking post mortem at the health institution.
A few months ago a thirteen year old girl was beaten to death in the same district over a biscuit she had eaten without permission.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has charged that the MMD is losing direction each day that passes ever since it lost power to the Patriotic Front.
Special advisor to the UPND president, Douglas Siakalima says the UPND feels sorry for the MMD because it does not have the experience of being in the opposition.
Mr. Siakalima says the MMD should stop accusing the UPND of creating some the problems it facing, but instead remain steadfast and learn opposition politics.
Speaking to QFM News, Siakalima says the leadership of the MMD should sit down and resolve the issues affecting the party to avoid further destruction of the party.
He says the MMD should realize that it is no longer the ruling party hence the need to stay focused.
Meanwhile, (UPND) has suffered massive defections after its executive officials in three wards in Choma Central Constituency defected to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
UPND ward officials and members from Namuswa, Singani and Siasikaboole resigned en-masse at a public meeting addressed by PF deputy Secretary General, Bridget Atanga, at Siamaluba depot in chief Singani’s area in Choma yesterday.
The defectors told Mrs Atanga that they are sick and tired of clinging on to the opposition UPND which they said will never rule this country.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former UPND Choma Central Constituency chairman, Zeron Mwendo, said the PF has proved to be a people’s party because of its progressive policies.
Mr Mwendo, who is also former UPND Mubula ward councillor, urged the people of Choma to ditch the opposition UPND which he said is on a path to self-destruction.
And receiving the defectors, Mrs Atanga, who was accompanied by provincial and district party officials, said the PF was a party for all tribes in Zambia and not only for Bembas as claimed by the UPND.
She said time has come for the people of Southern Province to redeem themselves by joining hands with the rest of the country through the ruling PF.
Mrs Atanga said President Michael Sata wants to bring development to all parts of Zambia but that he needs support from the people of Southern Province in order for him to successfully implement his programmes.
At the same meeting, former Dundumwezi Member of parliament, Emerson Mudenda, also defected to the PF.
District PF political secretary, Bernadette Hamweemba, said the PF has intensified its campaign in Choma where UPND structures in some wards have been completely overrun by PF.
President Michael Sata has created six more districts in Western and North-western Provinces.
President Sata named the new districts as Sikongo, Nalolo, Sioma, Mitete and Luampa in Western province and Manyinga in North-western province.
The President said this when he swore in Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda and Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police Lemmy Kajoba at State House today.
President Sata has urged newly appointed Labour Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda to be sharp in the execution of his duties as issues to do with labour were very porous in the country.
He lamented that some Italians at a company which he did not name but based in Ndola were not paying Zambian workers well.
And President Sata directed Minister of Sports Chishimba Kambwili to ensure that a stadium is constructed in Western province.
He also called for the construction of a new university at Namushakende in Western Province and proposed that this institution of higher learning should be named King Lewanika University.
By Rev K.Kaoma
Mr. President, I am exceedingly disappointed that we are now lining up for mealie-meal in our nation. I find it extremely discourteous that Vice President Mr. Guy Scott had the guts to blame the shortages on millers while other PF officials blamed it on opposition leaders.
Your Excellency, I grew up under the Kaunda UNIP regime when shortages of basic needs were a norm. I remember waking up at mid-night in order to line up for mealie-meal at various milling companies in Mansa. I have always dreaded those days and never imagined that I would witness it again in my life-time but was wrong.
I was highly critical of the reigns of your predecessors due to excessive corruption and hard and irresponsible economic policies that characterized their leaderships. But as bad as they turned out, they did everything possible to provide mealie- meal and other basic goods to Zambians who could afford to pay for them. It is shameful that you seem to be taking us back to the UNIP era. Do you want to be remembered as the President who brought back “long lines” in Zambia and then blamed it all on the opposition?
Mr. President, how can you explain your administration’s failure to buy all agriculture produce across the nation, to pay farmers on time, water shortages at University Teaching Hospital, and now the shortage of mealie -meal in the nation? How about the reduction in the transmission radius for UNZA Radio, your love for the Public Order Act, the failure to address the street vendors’ situation in the nation, and of course your chaotic handling of the Barotseland issue? I realize that your Party’s answer is the same – blame it all on the opposition.
[pullquote]when the MMD government came into power in 1991 – to which you were a part, the country was almost bankrupt. Inflation, shortages of basic commodities, and a debt of US$7.2 billion were among the many challenges the MMD government had to address. But your situation is different. Zambia has made great strides in agriculture and other economic activities. All you have to do is to provide visionary leadership and the country will follow[/pullquote]
Sir, PF is not the only party to govern under multi-party politics. MMD under Mwanawasa and Banda governed under similar conditions. Regardless of their shortfalls, these administrations took responsibility for their actions and failed policies. This is not the case with you. It is just arrogance or have you developed presidential amnesia, usually associated with State House? During your 10 year in opposition, you were a fierce critic of MMD policies. You courageously stood with exploited workers in the nation to an extent that President Mwanawasa once demanded your arrest. When the Banda administration shot at innocent citizens in Mongu, you stood in solidarity with the victims of state violence. Your solidarity won you crucial popularity in Barotseland – the vote that helped deliver State House to PF. Such are the politics of opposition. So why are you now whining whenever opposition leaders do the same?
May be you understand the politics of opposition better than governance. The truth is, you are no longer the leader of the opposition party but the President of Zambia. We expect you to direct and negotiate the terrains of multi-party democracy. Least you forget the opposition will not help PF win popularity in the nation. Neither are they expected to agree with you on every matter of governance. Such a possibility is only conceivable in one-party rule and not in multi-party democracy which strives on compromises and negotiations. Here your negotiating and not bullying skills will play an important role. The opposition will only compromise with you if they know that they risk being perceived as obstructionists – which is not the case today. I know you expect them to blindly follow your directions like your cronies in PF. But if they do so, how are they going to make a case for your replacement to the electorate?
[pullquote]the opposition will not help PF win popularity in the nation. Neither are they expected to agree with you on every matter of governance. Such a possibility is only conceivable in one-party rule..The opposition will only compromise with you if they know that they risk being perceived as obstructionists – which is not the case today[/pullquote]
My former headmaster at Kawambwa Boys Technical School, Mr. Kawesha used to convey us to “use commonsense although it was not very common.” Of course, commonsense tells me that you can only arrive at your final destination if you know it. In political terms, you can’t expect to have a good cabinet or administration unless you know where you want to take the nation. It seems to me that you lack a clear vision for the nation. This has made it impossible for you to find capable individuals to help you govern. No doubt you inherited MMD corruption but you have had many months to put your house in order. Your trial and error form of governance is responsible for the current state of affairs.
You don’t need reminding that when the MMD government came into power in 1991 – to which you were a part, the country was almost bankrupt. Inflation, shortages of basic commodities, and a debt of US$7.2 billion were among the many challenges the MMD government had to address. But your situation is somehow different. Zambia has made great strides in agriculture and other economic activities. All you have to do is to provide visionary leadership and the country will follow. We expect the PF administration to deliver farming inputs on time, buy maize and pay farmers on time, supply millers with enough maize and keep street vendors off our streets, and of course address the plight of our retirees among many issues. You have no excuse for current state of affairs in the nation, Mr. President. Please, stop the blame game and start governing. We are counting on you to direct our nation but only if you have a right vision. As the biblical proverb states, “where there is no vision, people perish.”
A MOB in Mkushi District beat to death a 45-year-old farm worker who was found defiling a four-year-old girl on Saturday.The mob descended on the man, identified as Henry Katunga, who was found defiling the girl in her parents’ house.Passersby heard a girl screaming for help and mobilised themselves before forcing themselves in the house where they found the man in the act.
Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu explained that the girl was left in the custody of the man by his employers.Mr Lungu said the farm worker took advantage of the absence of the girl’s parents and lured her into the house.The mob beat him to death, but no one has been arrested for the murder.
He, however, cautioned members of the public against taking law into their hands adding that the man should have been handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, two Kitwe-based men have been apprehended in Mansa for being in possession of machinery, chemicals and paper used in printing fake Zambian currency and United States of America (US) dollars.Alert police officers in Mansa pounced on the two after a tip off from members of the public.
Luapula Province police chief Philemon Mutale identified the suspects as Silungwe Sichone, 20, of Chimwemwe Township and Musonda Musaka, 21, of Bulangililo.Police have also impounded a Toyota Splinter registration number AGR 9871 the two were using.Mr Mutale said police have summoned the owner of the vehicle to assist with investigations.Among items recovered from the two were four bottles of iodine , four by 2050 size paper of Zambia Kwacha, one by 2500 size paper of American dollars, five bottles of vitamin solutions, two syringes, two needles, cotton wool and two rolls of aluminium paper.
FILE: Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
Government has spent about K1 billion on rentals for former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s residence, Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa has said.
Mr Sampa said Government had spent K1 billion on Mr Banda’s house rentals and would further spend K1.4 billion to construct his house from the 2013 national Budget.
He said it was therefore illogical for UPND cadres to petition Government’s decision to allocate K1.4 billion for the construction of President Michael Sata’s retirement house.
The deputy minister explained that Government had allocated money for the construction of houses for Mr Banda, late Frederick Chiluba’s widow and that of late President Levy Mwanawasa.
Mr Sampa was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the MTN Zambia Media Breakfast.
“In the case of President Sata, if the house finishes while he is still in State House, it will remain in Government’s hands and the Head of State will have to wait until he leaves office.
“We don’t want to see a situation like what happened in the past when former Heads of State were made to stay in rented houses,” he said.
He noted that if the former MMD administration had built a retirement house for Mr Banda in advance, Government would not have spent K 1billion on rentals.
Recently, UPND cadres petitioned Parliament on Government’s decision to allocate money towards construction of Mr Sata’s house.
Another person has died from a crocodile attack on the shores of Lake Kariba, adding to the ever increasing deaths occasioning from crocodile attacks in areas along the lake shores in Gwembe district.
Noriah Mudyamba 54, a wife and mother of Luumuno village in Chief Chipepo’s area was snatched by a crocodile yesterday evening as she bent to draw water from the lake.
Kota-kota Ward Councillor Friday Samutenta confirmed the matter to ZANIS over the weekend.
Mr Samutenta said her screams for help alerted people who rushed to rescue her from the firm grip of the reptile.
He said by the time the deceased was ripped away from the jaws of the reptile, Mudyamba was already dead.
Samutenta has expressed worry at the increasing number of crocodile victims in the area and called on the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to consider heeding to the constant cries of people in Gwembe and reduce the number of crocodiles that have infested the lake.
Asked why people have continued to draw water from the lake when government through its cooperating partners has sunk boreholes to provide safe and clean drinking water in the area, Mr Samutenta said there are only four water points in the area and that the lake remains the nearest source of domestic water for both people and livestock.
[pullquote]Asked why people have continued to draw water from the lake when government through its cooperating partners has sunk boreholes to provide safe and clean drinking water in the area, Mr Samutenta said there are only four water points in the area [/pullquote]
The area Councillor has since appealed for the sinking of more boreholes across the area to enable the community access clean and safe drinking water.
Earlier this month, a concerned Gwembe resident appealed to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to consider cropping crocodiles that he said had continued to attack both humans and livestock on Lake Kariba.
Charles Musunga told the media that over 10 heads of cattle were reported dead in two weeks in villages surrounding the lake shores in Sinafala area.
Areas such as Chifumpu and Madonda villages have suffered loss following crocodiles attack on livestock.
Mr Musunga said during the dry season, animals are forced to graze and drink water from the crocodile infested lake, resulting in livestock attack.
This has continued to worry livestock owners who have continued to lose their animals to the over-populated reptiles.
Cattle have from time immemorial, been the wealth of the valley Tonga people owing to poor arable areas and animals are chiefly used as draught power and a source of income.
Mr Musunga has appealed to government to consider empowering ZAWA with ammunition to enable them reduce the crocodile population that has continued to be life-threatening to both human beings and livestock.
Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina says there is need for people to break the silence and spread messages against Gender Based Violence.
Ms Wina said this over the weekend when she officiated at the launch of the “I care about her” campaign where over 500 men matched in commemoration of the 16 days of gender activism from Levy Park to new government complex in Lusaka.
The Minister of Gender said the campaign shows the commitment that men have realised the need to change their negative attitude towards women and girls by treating them with respect as equal members of society.
She said the “I care about her” campaign seeks to cultivate the sense of responsibility in men to protect their families and society by building a better world for women they care for.
Ms Wina said government will endeavour to ensure that a serious and resounding warning is sent to all those who want to perpetrate Gender Based Violence in Zambia.
She said government will work with all security wings to ensure that perpetrators of gender violence are brought to book.
The minister also stated that her ministry has pledged full support in partnership with men by ensuring that they are involved in curbing violence against women and girls.
And Oxfam Country Director Nellie Nyang’wa said it is sad to note that the media continues to carry horrific stories of violence against women, girls and children.
Ms Nyang’wa said it is worrying to see that violent acts are mostly done with impunity by people who are supposed to be protectors.
She observed that manhood is under serious disrepute adding that it is time to defend and fight for genuine manhood.
She said Oxfam has confidence that there are good men around who have been silenced by different social forces that have been inculcated in them.
She said Oxfam has chosen to support men in fighting GBV because they want to change the wrong thinking about women.
Ms Nyang’wa noted that the “I care about her” campaign is meant to create a platform where men out there who are feeling the pain of the violence can create a movement for change.
She argued men not to keep quite but take action and stop the vice.
Meanwhile Young Women Christian Association Men’s representative Raymond Havwala said the 500 men decided to match today to emphasises their commitment and support for the 16 days of Gender Activism under a theme “ Gender Based Violence; Zero Tolerance Now!”.
Mr Havwala said the 500 men have pledged to take action against early marriages, beating women and girls, rape and defilement in Zambia with zero tolerance actions.
He said beating women, defiling little girls is not a culture and does not signify manhood but shows cowardliness and in-human among men.
Mr Havwala further called on men to step up, respect and protect women and girls in society.
The 500 men match saw the support from Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu, Police Deputy Inspector General Solomon Jere among other government officials and representatives who joined in the match.
